Howard Lee Richshafer

Howard is the partner in charge of the Tax Controversy Group at the Cincinnati law firm Wood & Lamping, LLP. He has practiced law for over 30 years. Howard is also a licensed Ohio CPA. He has a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati, and, obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Howard’s practice concentrates in civil and criminal IRS tax problems, estate planning and probate, tax court trial work, and general corporate business matters.

From 1968 to 1978, he served as an agent with the United States Treasury Department/IRS. While there, he served in several technical and management positions.

For approximately 30 years, he has been adjunct professor in the undergraduate accounting program and graduate MS Tax program at the University of Cincinnati. He currently teaches advanced Corporate Taxation I, II, and III, Federal Estate and Gift Tax, and IRS Practice and Procedure. During his teaching career, he has also taught S Corporations, Fiduciary Income Taxation, and Consolidated Corporate Income Taxation.

             From 1998-2002, the Ohio Supreme Court confirmed his appointment as the inaugural Chairman of the Federal Taxation Specialization Board. This Board, comprised of tax lawyers considered experts, certifies Ohio lawyers as Certified Specialists in Federal Taxation.

             He chaired the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Federal Taxation Committee from June 2001 to June 2002 and the 1998 Southwest Ohio Tax Institute Committee.

Since 2001, Howard has been included in Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America® under federal taxation. Both Law & Politics Magazine and Cincinnati Magazine selected him as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.  The Cincinnati Business Courier identified him as one of the top lawyers in Southwest Ohio.  He’s also included in “Who’s Who in American Law.”  In addition, Martindale-Hubbell has awarded him a rating of “AV-Preeminent,” which is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical practice standards. 

He has authored over 100 tax articles including a manual on "Ohio Limited Liability Companies," which he co-authored. His articles have been published in the Journal of Taxation, Ohio Lawyer, and Corporate Controller. He also authored a chapter titled “Deductions for Profit-Motivated Activities,” which is part of Matthew Bender & Company’s online Federal Tax Research Library. The Library became operational in 2008.

Best Lawyers in America named him "2013 and 2014 Best Tax Attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio."